Arsenal Transfer News: Nani, Sagna, Janmaat And Chalobah Involved In Latest Speculation

The Portugal international is said to have become frustrated by his increasing lack of first-team opportunities and has less than 18 months remaining on his current deal.

Despite Nani’s match-winning performance in United’s FA Cup tie with Reading, the Independent believes that he is still resigned to leaving. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that the ball is in Nani’s court.

[Chief executive] David [Gill] has been speaking to [Nani's] agent for quite a few weeks now," Ferguson said. "It's up to the boy himself. He's got a year and a half left, I would prefer to keep him to the end of his contract.

“But I think he wants guaranteed first-team football. But he can guarantee that. His performance the other night can guarantee that. We're trying our best because he's such a match-winning player."

The Independent reports that Nani would be keen on a move to Italy, while there could also be interest from Russia. The 26-year-old was reportedly the subject of a £25 million bid from Zenit St Petersburg last summer.

While, with his contract further run down, that price may be reduced this summer, the player is likely to demand a salary that would test Arsenal’s strict wage structure.

The other big news surrounding Arsenal concerns the future of right-back Bacary Sagna. There have been plenty of stories this week regarding the club’s summer plans with a board meeting held on Thursday.

The Guardian reports that one of the decisions taken by manager Arsene Wenger has been to dispense with Sagna in the summer.  The France international has failed to rediscover his best form since returning from two spells on the sidelines with broken legs last season. The Gunners have offered Sagna just a one-year extension to his current contract that expires in 2014,but, with the 30-year-old hoping for a longer deal, he has now accepted that he will leave in the close season, according to the Guardian

Wenger has reportedly instructed his chief scout to seek out replacements, with the Daily Mirror claiming that Feyenoord’s Daryl Janmaat is among the list of targets.  

After winning his first cap for the Netherlands last September, Janmaat has established himself in the Dutch side under new coach Louis van Gaal.

Arsenal have also been linked with a surprise move for Chelsea youngster Nathaniel Chalobah. The Daily Star reports that the Gunners are confident that they can persuade the 18-year-old to move across London with a promise of a quicker route to the first team.

Chalobah is currently on a season-long loan with high-flying Championship side Watford, where he has excelled as a defensive midfielder. Born in Sierra Leone, Chalobah, who can also play in the center of defense, has already appeared for the England Under-21 side.

Although his contract is set to expire in the summer of 2014, Chelsea are said to be keen to hang onto the player.